Compass



Dec. 29, 1936.

H. HASSENFELD COMPASS Filed May 4, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HELAL HASSENFELD ATTORNEY Deal 29, 1936 H. HASSENFELD COMPASS Filed May 4, 19.35

2 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HELAL HASSENFELD Patented Dec. 259, 1936 COMPASS Helal Hassenfeld, New York, N. Y.

Application May 4, 1935, Serial No. 19,787

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a compass or similar instrument.

The invention has for an object the construction of an instrument as mentioned which is provided with a novel device for holding the pencil thereof.

Furthermore, it is proposed to provide the instrument with a novel device for holding the point thereof.

More particularly, the invention contemplates a construction of the pencil holding device characterized by a clamp strip disposed in a longitudinal opening in a tubular member attached to one of the compass legs and adapted to receive the pencil, and a handle pivotally mounted upon the tubular member and constructed in a manner capable of assuming a locking position and force the clamp strip against the side of the pencil.

Still further the invention proposes to arrange the parts in a manner that the clamp strip and the handle are superimposed, and pivotally mounted on opposite ends.

Furthermore, it is proposed to adjustably mount a wedge-shaped element upon the clamp strip so that the degree of clamping may be controlled.

Another one of the objects of this invention is the construction of the point holding device to be characterized by a handle pivotally mounted on one of the legs of the compass and having its front end formed with a shoulder portion for engaging the material of the strip supporting the point and having a perforated body, arranged so that the strip is firmly held in various fixed positions.

Still further the invention contemplates a construction wherein the front end of the handle is also equipped with a nibportion adapted to engage through the perforations, one at a time, for holding the strips in various extended positions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an element mounted upon the front of the handle and adapted to be turned crosswise so as to lock the handle in its operative position.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a compass constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. l is asectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pencil holding device illustrated per se.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line t6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l'! of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view as though taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8 but illustrating the pencil holding device in an open condition.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View taken on the line l Ellil of Fig. 8.

The compass, as illustrated on the drawings, is shown to comprise a pair of legs 10, H pivotally connected by a pintle l2 at their upper ends. A handle i3 is connected with a short plate l l disposed between the upper ends of the legs and associated with a mechanism for holding the handle on the central line between the legs in all possible positions of the legs. More particularly, a rivet i5 is slidably mounted through crossed slots "5 and i1 formed in the legs H and it respectively, and through a slot E8 in the plate, M longitudinal with the handle i3. This type of construction is generally known and for this reason the description thereof will not be amplified in this specification.

An arcuate bar l9 projects from one of the legs, namely the leg ill, and extends past the other leg, the leg II. This arcuate bar is calibrated with a scale 20 adapted to show the angle to which the compass is opened. A finger 2! projects from the leg l0 and indicates upon the scale 20.

A feature of this invention is a novel construction for holding a pencil 22 adjustably mounted on one of the legs of the compass. The device! comprises a tubular member 23 attached to one of the legs of the compass, preferablyintegral therewith, and adapted to receive the pencil 22 so that the latter element may be placed in various longitudinal positions. The tubular member 23 is formed with a longitudinal opening extending its full length and having the opposed edges formed with pairs of lugs 24 and 25. A clamp strip 26 is disposed between the longitudinal opening of the tubular member and is pivotally mounted at one of its ends upon the pair! of lugs 25.

A handle 2'! is pivotally mounted upon the other pair of lugs, namely, the lugs 24 and is adapted to extend over the clamp strip and has a lip 28 adapted to engage the clamp strip to force it againstthe pencil when moved past its dead center, by moving the handle.

More particularly, the outer end of the handle 2! is formed with a raised portion 21 adapted to extend over the lugs 25 when the handle is in the closed position. The lip 28 is of such design that with the handle in the closedposition, as shown in Fig. 3, the lip 28 engages against the strip 25 and is slightly past its dead'center so that the handle cannot be opened except by force. To open the handle it is necessary that the free outer end be forced upwards so that the lip flexes past the strip 26. With the handle in the closed position the strip 25 is urged against the side of the pencil and clamps the pencil in fixed position. The pencil may be adjusted to any extended position desired and then clamped as explained.

In Fig. 8 another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in which a wedge 30 is adjustably mounted on the strip 26 and is adapted to assume various fixed positions to coact with the lip 28 in the clamping of pencils of slightly different diameters. More specifically, the wedge 30 has an inclined surface 30 immediately adjacent the lip 28 and arranged so that the wedge is thin at the front end and thickens towards the rear. The edges 30 of the wedge are bent across the edges of the strip 26and under and against the bottom face of the strip so as to frictionally hold the wedge in fixed positions. The wedge may be manually adjusted so that when the handle is closed there is proper clamping action against the pencil.

'A further feature of the invention is the construction of the point holding device shown in Figs. 1-7 inclusive. This point holding device comprises a point 3! mounted upon the outer end of a perforated strip 32. This perforated strip has its outer end 32 bent into tubular form and clamped upon the back of the point 31. The body of the strip 32 is slightly of arcuate shape as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 7 so that the edges thereof are directed upwards. Intermediate the edges the openings 33 are arranged equally spaced from each other. The strip 32 is slidably associated with the leg II of the compass by reason of pairs of prongs 34 and 35 from the edges being bent inwards so as to receive the strip. More particularly, the strip 32 may move inwards or outwards longitudinally of the leg I I.

A handle 36 is pivotally mounted on a pintle 3'! intermediate of its ends. The pintle 31 engages through lugs on opposite sides of the handle and lugs extending from the edges of the leg I I. A resilient means is arranged for urging the front end of the handle against the leg of the compass. This resilient means comprises a spring 38 coaxial on the pivot 31 and having its ends engaging respectively against the handle and against the leg of the compass. The front end of the handle 36 is formed with a shoulder portion 39 and with a nib portion 4|]. The nib portion 40 is of a size adapted to engage through the perforations 35. Furthermore, the leg ll of the compass is formed with a perforation 4| into which the nib 40 may also engage. The arrangement is such that the nib holds the strip 32 against any possible longitudinal motion. The shoulder 39 of the handle engages the material of the strip 32 between the perforations and firmly holds the strip in intimate contact with the face of the compass leg ll.

The point of the compass may be adjusted by merely depressing the handle 36 to cause the front end thereof tobe lifted free from the strip 32, and then adjusting the strip as desired.

Thereafter, the handle may be released and the shoulder and nib thereof properly engaged upon the strip 32.

In Figs. 8 and 10 another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in which a small stem 42 is mounted through the nib portion of the handle and has a small bar or strip 43 attached on its inner end. The outer end of the stem is provided with a handle 44 by which it may be turned. The opening 4| in the leg II is of longitudinal shape and the strip 43 is adapted to pass through the opening and be turned across the opening to lock the handle 36 in closed position.

The compass shown in Fig. 8 furthermore distinguishes from the compass shown in Figs. 1-4 in the construction of the legs thereof. This is merely illustrated to make it clear that the invention may be applied to compasses of various designs. As shown, the compass comprises a pair of legs In and H pivotally connected by a rivet l2. A handle I3 has a disc portion l3 extending between the legs and also pivotally held by the rivet I2.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-- v

1. In a compass or similar instrument, a pencil holding device, comprising a tubular member attached to one of the compass legs and adapted to receive a pencil and having an opening extending its full length and formed with a pair of lugs at each end of the tubular member, a clamp strip disposed in said opening and pivoted at one end upon one pair of said lugs, a handle pivotally mounted on the other pair of said lugs and extending over said clamp strip and having a lip adapted to engage the clamp strip to force it against the pencil when moved past a dead center by moving the handle, and a wedgeadjustably mounted on the clamp strip and adapted to coact with said lip by which the device may hold pencils of various diameters.

2. In a compass or similar instrument, a pencil holding device, comprising a tubular member attached to one of the compass legs and adapted to receive a pencil and having an opening extending its full length and formed with a pair of lugs at each end of the tubular member, a clamp strip disposed in said opening and pivoted at one end upon one pair of said lugs, a handle pivotally mounted on the other pair of said lugs and extending over said clamp strip and having a lip adapted to engage the clamp strip to force it against the pencil when moved past a deadcenter by moving the handle, and a wedge adjustably mounted on the clamp strip and adapted to coact with said lip by which the device may hold pencils of various diameters, said Wedge comprising a member having the surface opposed to the handle inclined so that the wedge thickens from the front end to the rear end.

3. In a compass or similar instrument, a pencil holding device, comprising a tubular member attached to one of the compass legs and adapted to receive a pencil and having an opening extending its full length and formed with a pair of lugs at each end of the tubular member, a clamp strip disposed in said opening and pivoted at one end upon a pair of said lugs, a handle pivotally mounted on the other of said lugs and extending over said clamp strip and having a lip adapted to engage the clamp strip to force it against the pencil when moved past a dead center by moving the handle, and a Wedge adjustably mounted on the clamp strip and adapted to coact with said lip by which the device may hold pencils of various diameters, said wedge comprising a member having the surface opposed to the handle inclined so that the wedge thickens from the front end to the rear end, and having its sides bent around said handle.

4. In a compass or similar instrument, a pencil holding device, comprising a tubular member attached to one of the compass legs and adapted to receive a pencil and having an opening extending its full length and formed with a pair of lugs at opposite ends of the tubular holder, a clamp strip disposed in said opening and pivoted at one end upon a pair of said lugs, a handle pivotally mounted on the other of said lugs and extending over said clamp strip and having a lip adapted to engage the clamp strip to' force it against the penoil when moved past a dead center by moving the handle, and a wedge adjustably mounted on the clamp strip and adapted to coact with said lip by which the device may hold pencils of various diameters, said wedge comprising a member having the surface opposed to the handle inclined so that the wedge thickens from the front end to the rear end, and having its sides bent around said handle, and frictionally held in position by said bent sides.

HELAL HASSENFELD. 

